Jose Mourinho has warned about the threat of his ex-Chelsea player Mo Salah ahead of Manchester United's clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

The Reds' boss bought the Egyptian from Basel in January 2014 but just over 12 months later was allowing the forward to go to Fiorentina and Roma on loan before joining the latter permanently after Mourhino's Stamford Bridge exit.

But Salah's summer move has rejuvenated him, scoring six goals in 11 games for Jurgen Klopp's side.

And while Mourinho is benefiting from another player he let go on loan at Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku, the United manager knows that Salah could cause him damage on Saturday.

“I’m not surprised with Salah’s performance this season. I was aware of his great capabilities when he was with me at Chelsea,” said Mourinho.

Read More

“He improved during his spell at Italy, became more mature and improved physically. Players need time to adapt to their new teams. “Some of them remain and others prefer to move to another club. It is normal in football.”

While a worldwide audience awaits the Anfield blockbuster, Mourinho is remaining level-headed about the showdown.

“It's for three points, not four. Maybe if we were in a moment of the season where it was a duel between two teams it could mean more but it's not the case,” he added.

“At the same time, in these kinds of matches, every single moment plays a part. We are playing against a good team with very good players.

“We have to prove nothing. We have our objectives for the season, we know where we want to go and how we have to go.

United had to grind out a draw at Liverpool last season but Mourinho says the Reds are a better team now

“One match, one result, one performance - that's not going to change anything.

“It’s good to prepare without any added pressure or emotion. I have to act in a professional way, there are not any matches that are more important than others.

“It would not be the right example to my players to prepare for Liverpool in a different way to say Huddersfield.”

United ground out a dour 0-0 draw at Anfield as Mourinho got his feet under the Old Trafford table.